Ohio Cop Bloodies Black Teen's Face With Violent Slam, Dragging Him By His Locs Over Pedestrian Violation
An Ohio police officer lost his job after disturbing bodycam video showed him forcefully detaining a 14-year-old Black teenager in February over a pedestrian traffic issue.
'The Columbus Dispatch' reported that on February 19, Donovan Bever and a fellow officer noticed a group of teenagers hanging out at a crosswalk near an apartment complex.
The officers approached the teens in their vehicle and reportedly said, "Let's chat," prompting the teens to flee. One officer exited the car to chase them on foot, while Bever circled the area in the car, according to 'NBC4 Columbus.'
Bever's colleague caught up with two of the teenagers, drew his firearm, and pointed it at them while commanding them to lie on the ground, threatening to shoot if they didn't comply. Both boys obeyed his instructions.
Bever's bodycam footage captured him arriving at the scene where his partner had detained the two teens. He exited his vehicle and rushed towards the boys, who were already on the ground. Bever then bent down, grabbed one teen by his locs, and forcefully slammed his face into the ground, causing his nose to bleed.
The video shows the teen groaning in pain and distress as Bever handcuffed him and aggressively searched his pockets, claiming he was looking for a gun. Police officials later reported that Bever also struck the teen in the groin during the arrest.
The teenager repeatedly shouts, "I'm sorry," and "I'm complying," insisting he did not have a gun.
In the footage, Bever is heard threatening the teen, saying, "You move, I will break your face." After finishing the search, Bever drags the teen by his locs back to his police car. As they near the vehicle, Bever asks the teen, "You got AIDS?"
Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant condemned the officers' conduct, stating they had no justification for drawing their weapons or using force on the teenagers. She emphasized that they should have respectfully approached the teens to discuss pedestrian laws.
"I was angry, disappointed, upset," Chief Bryant said regarding the arrest, as reported by the 'Columbus Dispatch.' "That is not what we reflect as Columbus Division of Police. The majority of our officers have great relationships with our community."
Within hours of the incident, Bever's firearm and badge were confiscated, and he was placed on leave. His termination was finalized on June 10. City officials also denounced the arrest and supported Bever's dismissal.
"Our community deserves better, and that 14-year-old deserved better," stated Columbus Public Safety Director Kate Pishotti.
"I'm angry how this one officer's petty power trip calls into question the integrity and hard work of the entire Division," said Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin.
"The conduct of these individual officers is unacceptable, falls far short of the standard expected of any public servant, and tarnishes the great work being done every day by the members of the Division of Police," added City Attorney Zach Klein.
During his tenure with the Columbus police, Bever faced three citizen complaints, two of which involved allegations of harassment and the use of profanity and rude language. Despite previous warnings from his supervisor, Bever continued to violate policy, including an incident in November 2021 where he repeatedly swore at an arrestee.
In April 2022, his performance review included "constructive feedback" regarding his public interactions, leading to retraining in de-escalation tactics and verbal confrontation.
